Classical speakers that do violins well??

OP here, with just another word of thanks.

In traveling over the weekend I had a chance to audition a few of your suggestions: The Vienna Mozart Grands and Focal Chorus 826V and 806V. Setup was not ideal (Magnolia and a Tweeeter affiliate, respectively), but I was quite impressed by all of them. They seemed to have good potential for performing well in a more carefully set-up environment. In terms of string timbre, I think I preferred the Focals just a bit, but it was close.

Unfortunately, word has come from my accountant that Uncle Sam will take up much of what I was planning to spend! So I may have to wait a while. In the meantime, my current speakers will serve well.

In fact, I didn't feel any of the speakers I auditioned were worlds better than my modest NHT SuperTwos. Scoff if you will, but these speakers perform quite well on the music I enjoy. I have been unable to unseat them from my listening room with the likes of Maggie 2.6/Rs, Spendor 3/1Ps, and a few B&W Matrix models. Each of these had their advantages, but from top to bottom, none pleased me quite as well as the NHTs. While I think the Viennas or Focals would probably outperform them in my listening room, I was reassured that the difference is probably not night and day. What I'm hoping for is a bit smoother rendition of highs (i.e., violins) and a bit better definition in the bass region.

Again, thanks so much for all your suggestions, and I wish I were in a position to audition more of your recommendations.
-Bob

Way to go. Get some leads and then listen for yourself, that's the way it's done.

Dave

Like the Martin Logan CLS. With the right room, equipment and so on, it's in my opinion one of the best Jazz & Classical speakers you can get. The bass is light by most standards but people are use to a lot of bass. Face it an acoustic bass will NOT shake the room. The CLS has bass you can hear but do not feel, it's hard to explain but it don't pressurize the room like my other speakers do.

The CLS can be bright in the wrong room with the wrong equipment. Also they are very hard to drive correctly. You need a large tube amp or a solid state amp that is stable into 2ohms.

The CLS can be had for under $1000 to about $2500 depending on what series, I II or IIz. I have the CLS IIZ Limited Edition.

Just my opinion.

hi krellm7:

if you like the iiz, you will like their newest speaker, the clx, arriving in august, to sell between $7000 and $9000. it will be more dynamic and play deeper than your speaker. call the company to get some information.

Yea I have been waiting to hear them. They sure went up in price! The original CLS was about $2000 or $3000 a pair back in the day, My Limited Edition ones were $6000. but hey ML need to make money too right? Hopefully they sound as good as they say.

To be honest, my CLS are sitting in a spare bedroom with covers over them. I use the B&W Matrix 800's as my main speakers right now, but i love to pull out the CLS every once in a while. However when I move i think I will keep the CLS, they are much smaller than the 800's & lets face it, what speaker in the world looks that cool?